Local Data
Location & Expansion Log
Diverse companies – from startups to multinational corporations – continue to relocate and expand existing operations in the Charleston region.
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New, Expanding, and Mergers & Acquisitions
2016
Bintelli LLC
December 22, 2016
Manufacturer and distributor of mopeds, scooters and electric vehicles for a variety of applications
To meet growing demand from both its dealers and end users, Bintelli has increased its electric vehicle manufacturing output, as well as its available inventory. To accommodate this growth, the company has decided to add 23 new positions to its Charleston County operations. Bintelli LLC is an Inc. 5000 company that offers more than 40 customizable electric vehicles, including electric golf carts, electric shuttles, street-legal golf carts, low-speed vehicles and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compatible shuttles, along with a full line of parts and accessories.
NexGen Composites LLC
December 13, 2016
Design, engineering, manufacturing, assembly and testing of lightweight composite structural panels with commercial & military applications
This new facility will specialize in the design and manufacturing of containerized structures as well as welding, fabrication and assembly of lightweight aluminum structures. "The availability of skilled workforce, proximity to the Port of Charleston and key customers were important factors in our decision to select this strategic location," according to company president and CEO, Dr. Rob Banerjee. NexGen plans to initially hire 5 workers, expanding to 18 over the next five years.
Evonik
December 13, 2016
Precipitated silica for use in tire production
One of the world's largest specialty chemical companies, Evonik employs more than 33,500 people in more than 100 countries. The German firm will build a precipitated silica plant in the Charleston International Manufacturing Center at 1588 Bushy Park Road near Goose Creek, S.C., to supply the tire industry. A leader in tire production, South Carolina is also the United States' top exporter of tires. Completion of the new plant is expected by mid-2018.
Safran
November 29, 2016
Assembly of wiring and landing gear for aircraft
Operating in the Charleston area since 2008, Safran is the provider of landing and braking systems, propulsion components, electrical wiring and electronics, and engineering services for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The French firm is expanding its Charleston County footprint by constructing a new facility adjacent to its existing operations. This $7 million expansion is expected to create 15 additional jobs in the Charleston Metro Area.
Robert Bosch LLC
November 17, 2016
Anti-lock braking and fuel injection systems manufacturing
Robert Bosch opened its Charleston SC Metro Area plant in 1973 with 105 workers. Since then, the company has invested more than $625 million in seven separate expansions, growing to more than 1,700 workers today. This new expansion will add 150 new jobs over the next five years. The company is one of the region's largest and oldest private-sector manufacturers.
Thorne Research, Inc.
November 16, 2016
Nutritional supplement manufacturer
Thorne Research, Inc., a 30-year-old, privately held nutritional supplement manufacturing firm, will construct a new 240,000 sq. ft. manufacturing plant and headquarters office in the Omni Industrial Campus in Berkeley County. This $35 million investment will create 330 new manufacturing and R&D jobs in the Charleston region and is expected to be fully operational by mid-2018. CEO Paul Jacobson said the firm chose the Charleston region to help meet their need for increased capacity and productivity resulting from their collaboration with The Mayo Clinic, the US Olympic Committee and others, plus their growing customer base.
Golfbreaks.com USA
November 4, 2016
Organizes golf travel vacations worldwide
Windsor, UK-based Golfbreaks.com, a specialty golf travel company, announces its expansion into North America with a new office in the Charleston SC Metro Area. Established in 1998 and headquartered in the United Kingdom, Golfbreaks.com organizes golf travel vacations for approximately 220,000 golfers annually. Initially focusing on destinations in the UK and Ireland, this first North American office will help the company add US, Mexico and the Dominican Republic to its golf vacation offerings. Golfbreaks.com USA is a participant in South Carolina's new Landing Pad program, an initiative that aims to assist established companies looking to enter the US or South Carolina markets for the first time. Landing Pad is a collaborative effort between South Carolina's Department of Commerce and the state's regional economic development alliances.
Audio-Technica SEDC
October 13, 2016
Warehouse and distribution center for US East Coast
A-T's Southeast Distribution Center (SEDC) warehouse occupies 56,000 square feet, has seven loading docks and was specifically set up to meet the increased market demand for Audio-Technica products. Located on Garrott Avenue in Moncks Corner, SC, about 25 miles north of Charleston, the new facility will augment A-T’s distribution center located at its corporate headquarters in Stow, Ohio, and handle warehousing and distribution as well as order processing, according to the press release. Company's US president Philip Cajka said the port will be a major asset for their import needs.
JEAR Logistics
September 14, 2016
3PL transportation throughout continental US and Canada--full and less-than truckload (LTL), refrigerated, dry, & flatbed
Mount Pleasant-based JEAR, a freight transportation company, is investing $2.8 million investment and adding 152 jobs, the S.C. Commerce Department said Wednesday. Company president Mark Neumeyer remarked that "Charleston...gives us the perfect setting and infrastructure to continue our growth." JEAR was recognized by Inc. magazine recently as the fourth fastest-growing business based in South Carolina, with a 900 percent jump in sales since 2012.
stoba
September 13, 2016
Manufacturer of machined components
stoba, a manufacturer of machined components for the automobile industry, is launching a new production plant in Berkeley County. The new development is expected to bring $7.7 million in capital investment and create 61 new jobs. Located at 2301 Charleston Regional Parkway in Charleston, S.C., stoba will be leasing a 43,000-square-foot facility to produce machined steel products for the automotive industry, specifically the latest technologies for gasoline direct injection fuel systems.
Lucey Fund
September 1, 2016
VC investment by Ireland-based Lucey Fund into Charleston-based Nannypod, a software company
Nannypod, a Charleston-based software company whose platform supports nanny agencies and babysitting services, will receive up to $200k in Regulation D 506(c) investment from Ireland-based Lucey Fund and will gain a software partner in Lucey Technology, Ireland's fastest growing tech company, and a 2013 Deloitte Fast 50 Rising Star. The mobile software platform will provide nanny and babysitting agencies with tools to geo-tag sitters, register families, do background checks, scheduling, automated payments, group texting and more. This investment will expand the service, already successful in Charleston, towards a goal of 1,000 locations across the US in 2017.
SC Aeronautical Training Center at Trident Technical College
August 30, 2016
South Carolina Aeronautical Training Center
To support the state's growing aerospace cluster, Trident Technical College will construct the 224,000 square-foot SC Aeronautical Training Center on its main campus in North Charleston. The space will provide classrooms, shops, labs (composite, engine, avionics, paint and tool, welding and sheet metal) as well as open bays to accommodate aircraft, large aircraft parts and training tools. Construction will begin in 2017 and is expected to be completed in 2019. An estimated 5,370 students and 120 faculty and staff will use this facility each year.
Summerville Medical Center
August 25, 2016
Hospital
Phase I of the project ($30.9 million) will include nearly 26,000 square feet of new construction and 3,252 square feet of renovated space. The second phase, projected to cost $18.79 million, will consolidate and expand labor and delivery services from Trident Medical Center in North Charleston to a new women’s pavilion at Summerville Medical Center. Other upgrades include a $560,000 CT scanner and other major medical equipment.
International Biomedical Devices (IBMD)
August 16, 2016
Early stage medical technology company focused on opthlamalogy devices
IBMD closed a $2.35 million convertible debt funding round to support its flagship ApertureCTC precision capsulotomy system designed for cataract surgery. Money in the round came from three sources: Japanese-based Santen Pharmaceutical Co, the entrepreneurial support program SC Launch and one of the company’s founders. Mt. Pleasant, S.C.-based International Biomedical Devices said funds in the round will be used to complete product development, pre-clinical and clinical activities and for regulatory filings, with a 510(k) application planned in the U.S. and CE Mark approval in the European Union.
CrowdReach
August 11, 2016
Web and mobile communications platform for small businesses and organizations
The firm's President, Trey Rust, announces expansion to a new 3,500 sq ft space in the new Raven Cliff Co's Pacific Box & Crate office space, which is currently under construction on upper King St in historic downtown Charleston. The young firm spent two years of R&D developing a mobile platform that firms can use to communicate messages, coupons, deals, etc., (including photos) to their clients via email, text and social media simultaneously, saving time and resources. This expansion will add more space and 20 employees in early 2017.
SnagaJob
June 23, 2016
Software as a service (SaaS) with talent management and human resources specialties particularly in the retail and hospitality fields
Virginia-based SnagAJob acquired Charleston-based PeopleMatter in an undisclosed investment. The two firms will expect to have 250 employees with 250,000 employer clients and ten million users.
Pilot Freight Services
June 22, 2016
Freight transportation company
Pilot Freight Services will open a location at 9004 Sightline Drive in Ladson to provide transportation services for companies looking to ship their products. The company also has 39,000 square feet of warehouse space and offers air freight and ocean services. Richard Phillips, CEO, said the company wanted a Charleston area location “to meet a growing regional need for a full-service transportation provider” based, in part, on manufacturers such as Volvo Cars, Bosch and Boeing Co.
Blackbaud
May 19, 2016
Software development and related IT services for the nonprofit, charitable giving, corporate social responsibility and education communities
Blackbaud is constructing a larger corporate headquarters building (360,000 sq ft) on Daniel Island to be completed in phases, with the first planned for completion in 2018. The firm will also add 300 new jobs over the next five years to their 1300-person current local employment. With approximately 35,000 customers in 60 countries, Blackbaud also operates facilities in the UK, Australia, Canada and Ireland, with more than 3,000 employees worldwide.
Viva Holdings Group, Inc.
May 12, 2016
Manufacturing; rubber and plastic products
Located in St. Stephen, S.C., the company will be renovating a 177,000-square-foot industrial site in Berkeley County. Viva is an international leader in the worldwide rubber and plastic recycling industries and will manufacture semi-finished rubber goods with proprietary technology for export to China.
thyssenKrupp Industrial Services NA, Inc.
May 11, 2016
Warehousing, FTZ services, export packaging
Located in Ladson, S.C., the company’s new facility will bring their regional footprint to 400,000 square feet of warehouse space. The Foreign Trade Zone-designated Charleston facility will operate as a distribution center, specializing in warehousing, transportation to and from the Port of Charleston, and export packaging. The thyssenKrupp's parent is located in Essen, Germany.
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
April 23, 2016
Product assembly & light machining for the aerospace sector
The company announced they will be located in Summerville, the 24,000-square-foot facility is expected to be fully operational in fall 2016 with about 20 employees. That number will grow to more than 50 workers over the next few years. Founded in 1918, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. creates and enhances opportunities for independence and self-sufficiency for people who are blind, DeafBlind or blind with other disabilities. The organization has 13 locations on the West Coast.
Regal Logistics
April 14, 2016
Distribution center providing warehousing, inventory management, pick-and-pack, export and import shipping, consolidation, cross-docking, transloading, drop shipping, transportation and drayage
Regal Logistics has opened a new, 350,000-square-foot distribution center at 1701 Charleston Regional Parkway in Charleston to serve the Port of Charleston. It is designed for retailers, manufacturers and importers, and doubles local capacity to 800,000 sq ft, says VP Gary Neeves. Regal entered the Charleston market in 2010, and has a 451,000-square-foot distribution center at 1980 Technology Drive, adjacent to the new facility. Its nationwide footprint now has about 2.3 million square feet of warehousing space across Seattle, Los Angeles and Charleston. The company specializes in high volume, mass retailer distribution and offers comprehensive distribution and transportation services including retailer consolidation, import deconsolidation and cross docking�”and value added, reverse logistics and product recall services.
NABAS Group Inc. (NGI)
April 12, 2016
Manufacture Nano Air Bubble Aeration System (NABAS) products; chemical-free water purfication technology
Starting with 8 employees and growing to 30+ by the end of 2016, NABAS Group Inc. (NGI) today formally established its U.S. manufacturing headquarters in Charleston. The South Korean based firm named Charleston-based NebuClear as its exclusive U.S. distributor. NABAS technology delivers air, oxygen or ozone into bodies of water with more than 90 percent absorption rate, increasing oxygen levels, enhancing water quality, disinfecting and isolating impurities naturally, without chemicals. "Since 2012, NABAS technology has been in use across Asia for algae removal, wastewater treatment, industrial water sterilization and other applications where ultraclean water is critical," reports an April 2016 news release.
Comcast
April 6, 2016
Customer care and technical support center
The company announced that it is building an 80,000-square-foot facility on 17 acres in Charleston County alongside Interstate 26 in the Ingleside Plantation development. The $21.4 million facility will house 550+ new employees and is expected to open late 2016. These employees will provide customer support for the Comcast X1 entertainment operating system, high-speed internet and digital telephone services.
Waitlist Me
March 31, 2016
Mobile software application that helps businesses manage their customer wait lists
A Silicon Valley technology company that helps businesses manage their customer wait lists has moved its headquarters from California to Charleston. “Charleston is a true hidden gem for tech startups,” CEO Brian Hutchins said. “When you consider the beauty of the area and all the things the city has to offer, it is hard to beat the quality of life, and that is a key strategic advantage in attracting and retaining top talent. Furthermore, smart investments made in infrastructure and programs to support business innovation are starting to pay dividends in Charleston, and the local tech economy is evolving rapidly.” Waitlist Me has opened an office in the Charleston Digital Corridor’s Flagship 1 building at East Bay and Calhoun streets. Its app service was once known as NoshList, which targeted restaurants, but about a year ago the company changed its name and broadened its focus to appeal to multiple industries.
Call Experts
March 17, 2016
Customized call center services with 24/7 operations
The Charleston-based company, established in 1982, has three other locations on the East Coast (Atlanta, Charlotte, and Branchburg NJ), and will expand its Charleston County operations with a $1.8 million investment that will create 310 new jobs over the next five years. Company president Abby Leibowitz said, "The work ethic we have encountered here has been unmatched. ... this business environment has enabled us to bring our services around the world from this exceptional city.” Call Experts will add 7,300 square feet to its existing facility in Charleston, with the addition fully operational by the third quarter of 2016. The expansion will more than quadruple the location’s 96-person workforce.
Tigers Global Logistics
March 7, 2016
International logistics, freight management, customs brokerage services
Hong Kong-based Tigers Global Logistics opened a new facility in Summerville SC as the latest addition to the $800 million company's network of international logistics operations across the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia and South Africa. Contact info: Kimberly Marchand, General Manager 2745 West 5th North Street Summerville, SC 29483 Tel: 1 843-203-3107 Fax: 1 803-746-3381 [email protected]
Whole Foods Market
February 25, 2016
Natural and organic foods grocery store
Whole Foods Market announced that it will build a second Charleston area store on Savannah Highway, west of the Ashley River in Charleston. This location will be 45,000 square feet in size, slightly larger than their Mount Pleasant store which opened in 2004.
BlueJay DEF
February 16, 2016
Diesel exhaust fluid blending plant
Stateside Urea Funding LLC and FRM Mission Solutions LLC together announce the opening of a plant to produce high quality Diesel Exhaust Fluid under the BlueJay DEF brand in North Charleston, South Carolina. The facility will be capable of blending upwards of 10 million gallons a year as well as delivering bulk Urea throughout the region. “Opening a plant like this in Charleston will provide high quality DEF to the many transportation companies that deliver valuable goods and services in our area as well as the myriad of other businesses requiring DEF for their operations,” said a local company official. More info: http://bluejaydef.com/#intro
Limehouse Produce Co
January 14, 2016
Produce warehousing/distribution
Limehouse Produce, which sources products from more than 70 farmers, announced construction in early 2017 for an expanded warehouse and headquarters at 2650 Carner Ave in North Charleston. Since 1945, the company has been supplying produce, dairy products and juices to area restaurants, schools and hospitals, and this expansion will allow them to better serve their customer base.
Regan Communications Group
January 14, 2016
Public relations and marketing consulting
RCG is the largest privately-held communications firm in New England and has offices in Boston (HQ), Cape Cod, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Florida, New York City, and Washington D.C. In addition to RCG’s core services in public relations, the agency's Charleston office will provide an integrated media and marketing approach that includes every aspect of communications, interactions, and consumer experience, serving the hospitality, fashion, lifestyle, higher education, tech, non-profit, and financial and professional services sectors. Nationally, RCG manages more than 130 clients including Mohegan Sun, The Boston Celtics, Simon Mall Properties, New Balance and Bank of America.
